CBRN Defense Technologies Research Group was established in 2022 by joining the groups on CBRN Defense Technologies at the Materials Institute, Chemical Technology Institute and Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Institute under TÜBİTAK MAM; and it continues its activities more strongly under the Vice Presidency of Life Sciences.
In parallel with the goals of TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center, the CBRN Defense Technologies Research Group aims to meet the needs of its all stakeholders, particularly the Defense Industry, in CBRN defense technologies in accordance with national and international standards timely, duly and completely. Thanks to its structure, it combines scientific research, R&D and P&D studies with commercial-industrial activities and plays an important role in the improvement of the global competitive power of Türkiye in CBRN defense through sustainable product development.
CBRN Defense Technologies Research Group conducts its R&D activities with an experienced and qualified staff. The total number of personnel in the CBRN Defense Technologies Research Group is 31 which mainly consists of chemists, chemical engineers, physicists, molecular biologists and genetic engineers.
CBRN Defense Technologies Research Group currently conducts many public projects, TÜBİTAK TARAL projects and externally supported projects. It also has started pioneering studies in the field of CBRN tests and is on the way to improve and develop its capabilities in this field.
FIELDS OF ACTIVITY AND PROJECTS
DIAGNOSIS AND DETECTION TECHNOLOGIES
Diagnosis and detection studies of the CBRN Defense Technologies Research Group are carried out in two main areas for chemical and biological defense, according to existing researcher and infrastructure resources. Early, reliable and timely detection of chemical and biological agents is critical to be prepared for potential threats. In this context, various R&D and P&D studies are carried out in order to develop diagnosis and detection systems. The studies carried out for the diagnosis and detection of chemicals are as follows:
SENSOR MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT: Development of materials that detect Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA) in gas/liquid media, Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TIC), harmful compounds in drinking water and natural water resources, and pollutants that affect air quality indoors and outdoors (Design, Synthesis and Characterization)
SENSOR DEVELOPMENT: Sensor development studies by making use of developed sensor interface materials, various coating methods and transducers (Jet-Spray, Spin Coating, Electro-Spray, etc.) QCM (Quartz Crystal Microbalance), SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) etc. (Sensor Manufacturing, Testing, Analysis and Characterization),
SENSOR ARRAY DEVELOPMENT: Development of Sensor Arrays for target applications using the developed sensors (Electronic and Mechanical Design, Testing, Data Analysis, Application Software)
PROTOTYPE/DEVICE DEVELOPMENT: Laboratory and field analyses of sensor arrays and development of devices sensitive to target analytes (CWA Detection, TIC Detection-Diagnosis, Explosive, Narcotic, Pesticide, VOC detectors, etc.)
TEST SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT: Design, production and installation of fully automated test systems for use in laboratory tests of sensors/sensor arrays in gas and liquid media
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Mobile Chemical Warfare Agents Detection Devices |
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| Fixed Chemical Warfare Agents Detection Devices |
Biological threats include the use of naturally occurring and emerging infectious diseases and dangerous biological agents for warfare or terrorist purposes. The studies for early detection and diagnosis of various agents that affect public health and fall under the class of biological weapons, in environmental samples and in case of exposure to living things can be summarized as follows:
ANTIBODY DEVELOPMENT:Development and production of specific and high-affinity monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that recognize various biological agents (virus, bacteria, spore, toxin, etc.).
ANTIBODY-BASED DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT: By using the developed monoclonal/polyclonal antibodies;
Development of ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) test systems for the detection of biological agents (production of critical antibodies, labeling, system design and optimization of test conditions [environmental samples such as blood, serum, nasopharyngeal swab, food extract, water, soil] depending on the sample matrices)
Development of Lateral Flow Assay systems (nanoparticle synthesis, particle-antibody conjugation, acquisition of system components, optimization and test design) and image readers that allow rapid detection of biological agents
Development of serological ELISA diagnostic kits for antigen and antibody detection for determining diseases in case of exposure
DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEIC ACID-BASED DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS: Development and validation of target DNA or RNA-specific diagnostic systems in accordance with international standards for accurate, reliable and specific detection of pathogens (Nucleic acid extraction, Real-Time PCR, sequencing, etc.)
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ELISA Kit and Immunoaffinity Columns for Aflatoxin Detection in Foods |
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| Multiplex RT-PCR kit for biological agent detection |
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| Multiplex RT-PCR kit for biological agent detection |
DEVELOPMENT OF CBRN PROTECTIVE PRODUCTS AND SYSTEMS
DEVELOPMENT OF CBRN PROTECTIVE SUIT:Spherical Activated Carbon was developed for use in C type personal CBRN protective suits and integrated into the filter layers of the suits. CBRN Protective Suits, prototypes of which were produced, were tested and characterized, technology information package was prepared and the product was commercialized by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB). Within the scope of this study, 2 national patents were obtained.
DEVELOPMENT OF CBRN PROTECTIVE FILTER: By using chemical and physical activation methods, high temperature and impregnation technologies, granular impregnated activated carbon with and without Chromium was developed. It is produced by MAKEL Teknoloji A.Ş with the technology information package of TÜBİTAK MAM
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| CBRN Protective Suit |
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| CBRN Protective Filter |
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW GENERATION REACTIVE NANO ADSORBENTS:KAFES Project which is supported by SSB and whose Main Contractor is "Sun Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş." With the project, by using Metal Organic Frame (MOF) and Membrane technologies, CBRN Protective Textile, which provides superior protection and comfort against chemical and biological warfare agents, is developed with national resources
DEVELOPMENT OF CBRN DECONTAMINATION PRODUCTS
DEVELOPMENT OF REACTIVE DECONTAMINATION MATERIALS:The DEKON Project; which is supported by SSB, whose Main Contractor is TÜBİTAK MAM and whose main subcontractors are "Sun Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş." and "Berko İlaç Kimya ve Sanayi A.Ş.". The project aims to develop reactive decontamination materials against chemical and biological warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. In addition, it is aimed to develop 4 different types of these materials as powder, liquid, pad/wipe and cream/lotion with national resources.
CBRN TESTING ACTIVITIES/SERVICES
CBRN FILTER TESTS:Our research group conducts verification tests on the filters and impregnated activated carbons of companies producing CBRN filters in Türkiye, and makes reports on their conformity with AEP 54
OTHER TESTING SERVICES: We keep conducting studies to provide test services for chemical protection/detection/efficacy tests of various CBRN products (masks, protective suits, decontamination products, sensing devices, etc.) according to NATO and other military/civilian standards to public and private sector organizations operating in the Defense Industry.